Car and Driver shares their comparison pitting the F10 M5 versus the F13 M6 at the Anglesey Circuit in the UK to see if the M6 is truly better at the track than the M5, as advertised.

The M5 and M6 share the same 560hp powertrain, but the M6 is billed as being even more suited for the track with its lighter weight (about 100 pounds), lower center of gravity (due to lighter carbon roof and lower roofline) and slighter faster acceleration (about a tenth of second faster to 0-60, at 4.1 seconds).

That was a nice video. I am still in love with the M5. You can't compare the Sedan to a Coupe. You have a lighter and more agile car with the M6. Body roll plays here with the M5. But we are not comparing apples to apples. Either way it a win for BMW across the board!

They nailed it on the dot... M5 sings to everyone' hearts because it's a race car in a saloon body. All the competition is around the same weight but the M5 just does it better.

The M6 on the otherhand is fighting in a market where its competition is smaller, sexier, sleeker, and most importantly, lighter. Sports cars are supposed to be small, agile, and sexy... the M6 is just a huge GT. There is no purpose to make an M6, they need to come out with a true sports car body + platform and drop the M5 drivetrain in. Obviously higher R&D and probably will not make a good business case. But hey... Audi got its R8 and it's beyond be why the hell anyone would pay effin $120+ for a Carerra S these days nonetheless the price on the turbo/gt3 when it comes out.

It was not intended to be all out performance sports car and was never intended to compete with the likes of Audi R8 or 911 GT3 or GT-R. The R8 is an exotic mid-engine with no rear seats, 911 GT3 is a track machine focus less on luxury and style and ditto for GT-R with its inferior interior fit and finish, luxury and style.

I think M6 can improve in more areas no doubt but take it for what it is a larger, stylish, luxury, sports GT.

I am hoping for all us performance hungry folks BMW gives us an awesome M4.

check me if I'm wrong Sandy, but the M6 appears to have 20" wheels vs. the 19s on the M5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepyE90

So you're saying that the m5 is at a disadvantage?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriansideways

Bigger rims and wheels are not always a advantage! My E90 M3 is quicker on 18" than on the standard 19" on any track

If the M5 had 20" and the same PSS* tyres, it would be a bit quicker (lap time) than being on 19", but obviously still slightly slower than the M6.

In general, on a smooth surface, lower profile tyres will generate more grip in a corner due to less sidewall flex. Thus, if you compare the same tyre model with the same section width, but with different profiles, the lower profile tyre will be quicker round a track. The overall weight difference between the BMW M 18" and 19" with tyres on, or 19" and 20' with tyres on, isn't significant enough to make as much of a difference in lap times as sidewall flexing does. Straight line acceleration, however, should favour the lighter smaller diameter wheel, but cars spend more time in corners than they do on straights on most circuits.

I've tested my oem 219M 18s and 359M 19s with the same tyres with similar wear on the same track and the 19s generated a much better lap time and significantly less roll with improved steering response. Many people put track biased tyres on their 18s for practical reasons, which are obviously going to be quicker than 19s on the best road tyres.

It was not intended to be all out performance sports car and was never intended to compete with the likes of Audi R8 or 911 GT3 or GT-R. The R8 is an exotic mid-engine with no rear seats, 911 GT3 is a track machine focus less on luxury and style and ditto for GT-R with its inferior interior fit and finish, luxury and style.

I think M6 can improve in more areas no doubt but take it for what it is a larger, stylish, luxury, sports GT.

Agreed, this is what I've been saying since this 6 series was introduced.